What are the August Bank Holiday’s current weather records?

Author: Press Office

As the August Bank Holiday approaches for many of us, millions of people across the UK will be keeping a close eye on the forecast.

Whether planning a coastal getaway, countryside walk or simply hoping for a dry day at home, the weather plays a central role in shaping the long weekend. But what does history tell us about the extremes we’ve seen in previous years?

Drawing on official records, we’re taking a look at the current weather records for the August Bank Holiday Monday and the wider weekend across the UK nations.

Temperature extremes

The warmest August Bank Holiday Monday on record for the UK and England was 33.2°C, recorded at both Heathrow (London) and Cambridge Botanic Garden on 26 August 2019, while Scotland’s highest was 25.6°C at Kelso (Roxburghshire) in 1984. Wales reached 26.5°C at Crossway (Gwent) in 1991, and Northern Ireland saw 23.8°C at Banagher (Londonderry) in 1983.

READ MOREMet Office weekend weather forecast: Largely dry and bright Bank Holiday weekend

On the cooler end of the scale, Braemar (Aberdeenshire) holds the UK record for the lowest minimum temperature on Bank Holiday Monday, with -2.1°C on 25 August 2014. England’s coldest was 0.2°C at Kielder Castle (Northumberland) in 1983, while Wales and Northern Ireland recorded 0.1°C and 0.2°C respectively.

The highest minimum temperature, which typically refer to overnight temperatures, for the UK was 19.0°C at Southend (Essex) in 1997, matched by England. Scotland’s warmest night was 17.0°C at Grangemouth (Stirlingshire) in 2017, Wales saw 17.5°C at Prestatyn (Clwyd) in 1990, and Northern Ireland recorded 16.9°C at Loughall (Armagh) in 2003.

Rainfall and wind

Rainfall can be a defining feature of the August Bank Holiday, and the wettest day on record was 152.2mm at Glendessary (Invernesshire) on 31 August 1992. England’s wettest was 121.1mm at Walshaw Dean Lodge (West Yorkshire) in 1986, while Wales saw 134.9mm at Aber (Gwynedd) and Northern Ireland recorded 100.0mm at Killylane (Antrim) on the same day. 

Wind gusts have also reached notable speeds. The highest recorded gust for the UK was 78mph (68 knots) at Lerwick (Shetland) on 29 August 2005. England experienced 71mph at Gwenapp Head (Cornwall) in 1986, while Wales and Northern Ireland saw gusts of 62mph and 59mph respectively.

READ MORE600-mile rainstorm? Hotter than Ibiza? Met Office weather headline review

Sunshine records

Despite the variability, the August Bank Holiday has also delivered some exceptionally sunny days. The sunniest day on record for the UK was 13.9 hours at Tiree (Argyll) on 25 August 2014. England’s sunniest was 13.6 hours at Halesowen (West Midlands) in 2001, while Wales and Northern Ireland recorded 13.8 and 13.1 hours respectively 

Weekend-wide extremes

Looking at the full Bank Holiday weekend, the highest temperature recorded was 33.3°C at Heathrow (London) on Sunday 25 August 2019. Scotland reached 29.1°C at Floors Castle (Roxburghshire), Wales hit 28.8°C at Gogerddan (Dyfed), and Northern Ireland saw 27.0°C at Knockarevan (Fermanagh) 

The wettest weekend overall was in 1992, when Glendessary (Invernesshire) received 238.0mm of rain. England’s wettest weekend was in 1971 with 132.1mm at Honister Pass (Cumbria) 

While past records offer fascinating insights, they also highlight the variability of British weather. From scorching sunshine to torrential rain and gusty winds, the August Bank Holiday has seen it all. With a few days left to go, we could still see some records broken.

Keep up to date with weather warnings, and you can find the latest forecast on our website, on YouTube, by following us on X and Facebook, as well as on our mobile app which is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from the Google Play store.

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